May 22 1999 - Waihi Beach
The Bay of Plenty chapter of the NZ Sport Aircraft Association held a late autumn flyin at the Waihi Beach airfield. The event was held in brilliant weather - fortunate given the timing. The only weather casualties were some Waikato aircraft groundbound by fog on the wrong side of the Kaimais. The airfield had recently been purchased by Ron Donaldson, and the event was intended to promote sport flying activity at the field.
On display for promotion was the Storm 300, and a number of the champions from the recent flyin at Ashburton. Waihi Beach is home to one of the two Storm aircraft in the country at that time, as well as champion Jodel ZK-JON and Pulsar XP ZK-KFC. A variety of custom-builts, microlights, and ultralights were also on hand - plus a number of vintage aircraft. As well as the aircraft, there was an emergency services demonstration, and lots of socialising
The pictures below give some idea of the range of aircraft and activity:
© 2001 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved